If the situation continues, MMC will face a financial crisis.
MMC sources informed that the auditors were surprised to note MMC had done little to ensure that the amounts overdue from all sources were recovered. Vice Chairperson Tara Kerkar stated, “The auditors told me that MMC failed to recover the amount and the situation is gruesome. They said MMC should avoid unnecessary expenditure and stop giving money as donations.”
She added that the audit personnel were of the opinion that MMC should issue a warrant and not a mere demand notice to all MMC defaulters so that they can pay the dues at the earliest, or else face action.
Meanwhile, the municipality elections are only a few months away. If the present council leaves with the Rs 10-crore burden on MMC, the same will reflect on the performance of the new councillors. Presently, the MMC finds it hard to run the municipality’s day-to-day affairs and pay the workers’ salaries.
MMC Councillor Neny D’Souza said, “It is true that the overdue has crossed the 10-crore mark. One of the main reasons behind the slow recovery is the vacant posts of ATO and ACO. Both posts are presently handled by Damodar Yelekar. He visits MMC for only two days in a week and spends the rest of the time at the Margao Municipality, where he holds an additional post.”
MMC Chairperson Lavina D’ Souza alleged that MLAs were not helping MMC solve the issue. She said, “We are helpless as we are not getting any support from the MLAs and ministers. Matters of seeking government interventions to fill up vacant posts are dealt with at their level. That is why the posts of ATO/ACO are vacant for the last year, leaving MMC to face all financial issues.”
